Republican Bill Reverses 2015 Browning-Ferris Decision

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Galen Munroe

(WASHINGTON) – The Teamsters Union today denounced the passage of legislation (H.R. 3441) introduced by House Republicans that rolls back the 2015 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) “joint employer” ruling in the case of Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. (BFI). The decision ensured strong protections for millions of American workers by holding accountable employers that rely on temporary or contracted workers when those employers call the shots.

The joint employer rule prevents companies from claiming they are not responsible for workers employed by agencies retained by the company. The 2015 NLRB ruling resulted from a 2013 case brought by Teamsters Local 350 in Milpitas, Calif., against Browning-Ferris, a waste management company that is owned by Republic Services.

The union maintained that BFI had control over wage and working conditions for its workers employed through Leadpoint Services, a staffing agency, and counted as a joint employer with that agency. The House passed bill would establish a new, narrower definition of joint employer eliminating accountability for employers who try to avoid their legal responsibilities under labor law.

“Rolling back the joint employer ruling is an attack on workers who have little recourse if the company they are contracted to work for through their direct employer tries to avoid living up to their responsibilities,” said Jim Hoffa, Teamsters General President. “This ruling provided critical protections for millions of workers and it should not be reversed.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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